Bears’ Santos kicks off holiday with new contract

The Chicago Bears have signed veteran kicker Cairo Santos to a four-year extension, with a source telling ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the $16 million deal includes $9.5 million guaranteed.

The Bears announced the extension Saturday without disclosing financial terms.

“It is great to extend Cairo for another four years,” general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. “His consistency and dependability will help us continue to elevate.”

Santos, 32, has served as the Bears’ kicker since the 2020 season. He has made 104 of 114 field goal attempts in that span, including 27-of-29 this season. His 30 field goals made in 2020 set a franchise record.

The new contract ties Santos to Chicago through the 2027 season. Santos had been playing on the final year of the extension he signed after he set the Bears’ single-season record by making 93.8% of his field goals in 2020.

Santos surpassed longtime Bears kicker Robbie Gould as the most accurate kicker in franchise history and has made 91.2% of his field goal attempts since rejoining the Bears in 2020. (Santos’ first stint in Chicago came during the 2017 season when he appeared in two games.)

He was named the NFC’s special teams player of the month in November when he went 12-for-14 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points. He also led the NFL in field goals made, field goals attempted and in points (41).

Santos has also kicked for the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans over a 10-year career.

Santos’ extension isn’t the only item on Poles’ to-do list as the Bears near the start of the offseason. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who reiterated this week his desire to stay in Chicago following the 2023 season, is a pending free agent. The Bears and Johnson could not come to an agreement on an extension earlier this season, nor was the cornerback moved at the deadline after requesting a trade in October. Johnson is tied for the team lead with four interceptions.

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.

Advertisement